Injection device



E. R. LAWSHE ETAL 2,645,223

July 14, 1953 INJECTION DEVICE 2 "Sheets-Sheet 1,

OriginaPFiled Jan. 30, 1948 w I I I INV 1012.9 [PM] if? git 5k! Dam/M KL zrrrllrllllllllrldrrdz y joint 12 Juan} July 14, 1953 E. "R. LAWSHEETA;

"INJECTION DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 30, 1948 ZSheets-She'dt 2 TORS-[570/1]? lamas/w .lafin 51000 l7 TTORIVEYS Patented July 14, 1953 7INJECTION DEVICE Errol R. Lawshe, Ridgewood, N. J., and John H. Smoot,Darien, Conn., assignors to Becton Dickinson and Company, Rutherford, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Continuation of application Serial No.5,336, January 30, 1948. This application February 17, 1951, Serial No.211,514

Claims. (01. 128-173) This invention relates to a structurally andfunctionally improved injection device and especially an apparatus bymeans of which liquid medicament may be injected through the skin andinto the underlying tissue without employing a skin and tissue-piercingneedle; this application being a continuation of prior application,Serial No. 5,336, on Injection Device filed in the United States PatentOfiice on January 30, 1948, and now abandoned.

Primary objects of this invention are to provide an injection apparatusin which hypodermic injections of various volumes may be achieved and inwhich, moreover, the velocity of the medicament-discharge will besubstantially controlled and constant throughout the working cycle orstroke of the unit. Thus, skin-penetrating pressures and velocities willbe generated so that in effect all of a given dosage of medicament willbe injected into the tissues.

A further object is that of providing an injection device which willachieve the foregoing results without the apparatus being large, heavy,complicated or otherwise incapable of ready manipulation.

Still further objects are those of providing a unit of this type inwhich it will not be necessary to compress springs,,to pump air, toprovide a mixture to generate gas pressures or to employ an explosivecharge to generate pressures in order to potentialize the device foroperation. 'Moreover, the pressures on the medicament-containin unit orampule will be controlled and equalized so that the danger of fracturingthe latter will be reduced to a minimum. Even if a fracturing of thisunit should occur, then-according to the teachings of the presentinvention-it will preferably be housed in a manner such that injury tothe patient or attendant will be prevented.

An additional object is that of providing an apparatus of this typewhich will include relatively few parts, each individually simple andrugged in construction; these parts being capable of ready manfactureand assembly and when assembled operating over long periods of time withfreedom from all difiieulties, aside from the fact that the apparatusmaybe readily charged or loaded with medicament underproper antisepticconditions. 7

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attachedsheet of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the inventionand in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof;

ill

2 Fig. 3 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken along the lines3'3 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in a difierentposition;

Fig. 5 shows an alternative structure;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further form of apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 butshowing the parts in a differentposition; 7

Figs. 8 and 9 are horizontal transverse views taken respectively alongthe lines 88 and 99 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the unit but illustrating the parts infinal position; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view through an alternative form of valvemechanism.-

In these views, the numeral l0 indicates the body of the device whichmay present'adjacent its upper end a flange threaded to mount a cap Il.v Disposed within the space defined by the cap is a flask containinggas under pressure. By'the expression gas there is meant any desired andproper material such as air, nitrogen or other substances suitable forthe purposes herein intended. In many respects it is preferred to employC02. The unit 12 may be similar or, in eifect, identical with flasks aspresently provided for various purposes, In accordance with structuresof this nature it may have an initially sealed mouth or neck portion l3.The body I!) may mount a piercing cannula l4 extending into the spacedefined by cap II and in line with the sealed neck; such cannula beingin communication with, or providing a passage liextending in thedirection of a valve assembly within the body I0. While it is in manyrespects preferred to employ a flask of proper configuration to containthe gas under pressure, it is apparent that other motive sourcesinvolving fluid pressure might be employed. Therefore, except whereotherwise stated in the claims, the present exemplifications are to beregarded in an illustrative sense.

The valve assembly may take one of numerous diiferent forms. In Figs. 1to 8 a valve mechanism has been somewhat schematically shown toillustrate the principles of operation which are involved. In Fig. 11there has been shown a structure embodying the desired functions butwhich also embodies a design resisting to a maximum extent leakageswhich might occur under the pressures which will exist. Thus, it will beunderstood that these valve assemblies should preferably embody certaindefinite functions hereinafter traversed and that in commercial 3practice a substantially leak-proof structure should be present.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 it will be seen that the valve involves arotatable body I6 conveniently formed with a transverse passage I! and alaterally extending duct or passageportion I8. Conveniently, the valveis rotated by an actuator I9. It may have associated with it a detentstructure which will serve to retain body I6 in one of two positions.These positions as indicated in former position of the valve has beenshown in Figs. 2 and 6 while the latter position has been illustrated inFigs. 4 and '7. Before departing from a consideration of this portion ofthe structure, it will also be noted that a venting passage convenientlyextends from the valve chamber to the exterior face of the body I0.

Formed within the body I0 is a cylinder 2|. Within the latter a piston22 may reciprocate; it being noted that a passage 23 affords.communication between this cylinder and the valve chamber. While notshown, the lower. ends of the several illustrated cylinders may bevented. From the piston 22, an actuating rod 24 may extend downwardlythrough the cylinder and into a chamber which is conveniently occupiedby an ampule or medicament-containing cartridge.

An access to the ample-containing portion or chamber of the apparatusmay be had through the lower end of the unit. That lower end willnormally be sealed, as in Figs. 2 and 4, by a loading cap 26 havingscrew threaded connection with the same. The cap, as in these figures,may mount a post or thrust portion 21 if an ampule of the typeshown inthese figures is employed. In such event, there preferably extendsthrough the thrust portion a cannula 28 which has its inner end pointedand at least the outer or lower end of which is sufficiently constrictedto define a liquid column having a reduced cross section such that itmay penetrate the skin without substantial injury or pain beinginflicted.

With regards to the ampule or medicament containin cartridge, the lattermay be formed of any suitable material such as metal, glass, or certaintypes of plastics. As shown, it includes a body 29 having a closed inneror upper end 30 of a dimension corresponding substantially to the outerend of the rod 24. Its outer or lower end may be closed by a piston typestopper 3I conveniently formed of rubber. The area of the stopper andthe bore of the body 29 are such that the post or thrust portion 21 mayreadily be introduced into the same.

, In the form of structure shown in Fig. 5, the lower end of body 32corresponding to thelower end of body [0, mounts a loading cap orclosure portion 33. The latter has an orifice 34 of sufllciently. minutearea that a properly fine jet of medicament will be dischargeabletherefrom. If a piercing cannula is employed, then this unit 35 may bemounted by cap 33 and have a length such that it is capable ofpenetrating-the stopper Q! the ampule. Such stopper has been indicatedat 36 and is mounted in the lower end of the ampule ormedicament-containing cartridge 31. The upper or inner end of thiscartridge is sealed by a movable piston type stopper 38 of an area suchthat it may cooperate with rod corresponding to the rod 24.

At this time, it is to be understood that the ampules or cartridgescontaining ,the medicament might take numerous different forms;.According to the type of ampule employed, the

structure of the outer or discharge end of the apparatus might bedesigned to cooperate with the medicament-containing element to bestadvantage. Therefore, except where otherwise ,indicated in the appendedclaims, themedicament-containing chamber and the structure within andassociated with the same might be varied in numerous different respects,and in certain instances the medicament might be di- Fig. 1 may berespectively Oil and On. The r rectly disposed within this chamber.

In any event, it will be understood that the physician or other operatorin using this apparatus, may first remove the cap 28 or 33 and in.troduce a proper cartridge or ampule into the space thus renderedaccessible. In such introduction, .it will be initially understood thatthe caps may have therefore been sterilized. With the ampules in processof being introduced, the rods 24 will be moved so that the pistonsconnected to the same will be retracted to a maximum extent within theircylinders. This will be permissible incident to the vent 25 which willallow the escape of displaced air or gas. Also, if structures such asare illustrated are employed,

.it will be understood that if the caps are fully applied to the bodiesthe proportion of the several parts is such that the cannulas willpierce the stoppers 3| or 36. With the caps reaching fully seatedpositions, a suflicient movement of the parts may be assured so thatmedicament will flow through the bores of the cannulas or otherdischarge orifices. In this manner all air will be expelled from themedicament-conducting discharge passages or orifices. V

Preferably at this time, the operator will dispose a flask I2 within thecap II. Thereupon, by tightening the cap, the flask will be forcedinwardly to a point at which the piercing cannula I4 penetrates the neckseal I3. The device is now ready for operation. In such operation, theouter end of the unit is placed in contact with the skin at a pointoverlying the area to be injected. As will be observed, both caps 26 and33 are conveniently formed with a bulged portion 40 adjacent the mouthsof their discharge orifices. Such bulged portions will assure, ineffect, a sealing contact between the discharge end of the bore and theepidermis.

, Now, by employing the actuator I9, the valve body I6 may be rotatedthat its passage II permits of a flow of gas from passage I5 to passage23. With such flow, piston 22 will bejrapidly projected. Although notordinarily desirable, the parts may be so proportioned that the initialmovement of the piston will cause a piercing of the seal or cap in thelower end of the ampule. In any event, as in Figs. 2 and 4, thisprojection will have the result that the ampule 28 will be broadlyshifted and telescoped over the post or thrust portion 21. Due to thefact that the latter engages the stopper 3|, that stopper will duringsuch movement shift inwardly towards the base or closed, end portion 30of the ampule. Therefore, it will act as a piston to express medicamentat high velocity through the bore of cannula 28.

With thedischarge end of the cannula or other discharge orifice being ofsufiiciently small cross section, the desired injection will beachieved.

Ordinarily, with an apparatus such as the present, the entire contentsof the ampule will be discharged in a single working stroke. It would,of course, be feasible to shift the actuator I9 and valve I6 so thatonly a portion of the ampule contents are discharged. This, however,would ordinarily be difficultin view ofv the rapidity with which thepiston 22 and .the parts connected therewith will move. Regardless,however, of whether a complete or partial discharge has been effected,it will be understood that if it is desired to return the parts to theirinitial position, the

valve body |6 is shifted from the position shown in Fig. 4 (whichillustrates a complete discharge of the parts) to the position shown inFig. 2. In the latter position, the passage I8 is in communication withpassage 23 as well as vent 25. A flow from passage I5 is prevented.Therefore, any pressures within cylinder 2| will be relieved due to thefact that gas may escape through the vent occur at high velocity andwith the orifice being sufliciently fine, the desired results will beachieved.

The construction and operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 6 to 10inclusive, is similar to that heretofore described. Again in thisstructure, a suitable ampule indicated at 4| may contain medicament andpresent a closed end portion for cooperation with the rod 24. The loweror outer end of this ampuleis sealed by a piston type stopper 42. Thelatter may conveniently be pierced by'a cannula 43 carried by a cap 44.However, no post or thrust portion is in this form of apparatus carriedby the cap.

The latter presents spacing lugs or projections 45 which extend inwardlyand are spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to thediameter of the ampule body 4|. The inner face of the bore adjacent thelower end of the body Ill presents a plurality of upwardly extendingpassages 45. The surfaces between the passages 46 define a space suchthat the ampule body 4| may be received therein. Therefore, with the cap44 removed, the apparatus may receive a medicament cartridge or ampulein a manner similar to the structures heretofore described. Thereupon,the cap may be reapplied. With such reapplication, the rear end of thecannula Will pierce the stopper 42 and thus be filled with medicament.nula bore will be expelled.

If the apparatus is now brought into operative relationship with thesurface of a patients skin, the valve l6 may be turned to open position.This will have the result that gas under pressure will flow from flaskI2 and act against piston 22 to project the rod 24. With suchprojection, the parts are shifted from the position shown in Fig. 6 tothat illustrated in Fig. 7. In the latter view, it will be apparent thatthe ampule 4| has shifted outwardly to a point at which its edge engagesthe abutments or projections 45. Under these circumstances, the cannulais fully projected into the ampule. Also, as shown in the latter view,the piston 22 will-with full projection-clear the upper ends of thepassages 46.

Therefore, the gas under pressure will be free to flow past the plunger24 and into the space below the lower or outer edge of the ampule.Consequently, the gas will now act against the Accordingly, air withinthe canexposed outer face of stopper 42. Accordingly the stopper will beforced rearwardly and function as a piston to expel the medicamentwithin the ampule body through the cannula. At the limit of itsmovement, the stopper willoccupy a position such as has been shown inFig. 10. In this position, it is apparent that substantially all of themedicament will have been expelled.

Aside from the simplicity of construction and operation inherent inapparatus such as is shown in Figs. 6 to 10, it will be apparent thatpressures exteriorly' and interiorly of the ampule will equalize to aneven greater extent than is the case in the structure shown in Figs. 1to 5. More particularly, with gas being free to flow downwardly throughpassages 46, that gas will act against the exterior faces of the ampulesimultaneously with the creationof internal pressures incident to themovement of stopper 42. In other words, the pressures will be equalizedin a manner such that danger of fracturing of the ampule (especially ifit is of glass) is reduced to a minimum. Should, however, suchfracturing o'ccur, then it will be obvious that in all forms of thedevice the ampule is housed in a manner such that no injury will occurto the users or damage to the apparatus.

The valve mechanism as shown and described in the preceding figures issomewhat schematic. As Will be understood, it performs the functionalresults desired. However, leakage might readily occur to such an extentthat the flask l2 would be discharged after only a short interval anddespite the fact thatthe apparatus had only been used for a fewinjections or even none at all. The latter condition would, of course,occur where a flask 12 was operatively associated with the device andthen the device was laid aside. Under the circumstances, a flow orseepage would inevitably occur throughthe bore of the piercing cannulaand past the surfaces of the valve IE to the outer atmosphere. This isobviously to be prevented if possible in that the cost of injectionswould be materially increased if a flask were unnecessarily discharged.With this in mind, Fig. 11 represents in somewhat schematic manner avalve mechanism which will prevent substantial loss of gas pressures. Asingle flask may be employed for a number of successive injections.Also, it will be unnecessary to be concerned about laying the apparatusto one side in fear that during its period of non-use substantial lossesof pressure will occur.

Thus, as shown in' this view, the body In has a passage terminating in atransverse bore or passage 41. This presents a valve seat with which aspring-pressed valve 48 cooperates. One end of the passage 41 may besealed against the escape of gas by a suitable packing assembly 49. Theopposite end may be similarly sealed by an assembly 50 through andbeyond which a stem or actuator 5| for the valve 48 extends. A secondtransverse. passage 52 is conveniently disposed below passage 41 andalso houses a springpressed valve 53 which cooperates with a valve seatportion of that passage. The end of this passage beyond the valve mayopen to the outer atmosphere. Its opposite end is closed by a packingand sealing assembly 54. A valve actuator or stem 55 extends throughthis assembly and beyond the same. This element may terminate in aslotted outer end portion 56. A passage 51 extends between passages 41and 52. The latter is connected to passage [5. Fig 11 for the purpose ofillustration, is also somewhat schematic. As will be understoodthevalves '43 and 53 sheuld be generally of the needle type.

Their seats should be of a nature such that in efiect a lin'e seal isprovided. In this manner despite high pressures, effective seals will befurnished and the valves may be shifted from their seats with minimumeffort. Valve actuation may also be achieved by a simpler form ofa'tuating assembly than has been illustrated.

A handle 58 may have secured to it a spring 59 which normally urges thehandle in an outward direction. This handle preferably presents asurface 60 aligned with the outer end of valve stem or actuator 5i andcoop'erable therewith. Moreover, the handle may mount a pin 6| ridingwithin the slot of the outer end portion 56 of actuator 55. Theresistance value of spring 59 is greater than the value of the springcooperating with valve 53.

With a construction such as the foregoing, it is apparent that with theparts in the positions shown, a flow of gas through the bore of cannulal4 and passage I5 is positively prevented by valve 48. Also, as shown,valve 53 will be in 'unseated position. Therefore if any leakage shouldoccur from the flask past valve 48 such leakage will be vented to theatmosphere. When now, handle 58 is shifted inwardly, then pin GI willsimilarly shift. This will allow actuator 55 to move inwardly so thatvalve 53 seats 'under the action of its spring. Continued inwardmovement on the part of handle 58 will cause handle surface 69 to engageagainst the outer end of stem or actuator 5!. This will cause valve 48to be moved to unseated position. Accordingly, gas pressure may flowfrom the flask or other source through to the cylinder. Thus, piston 22will be projected. With the release of the handle, the flow from thesource of gas under pressure is interrupted. Likewise, the cylinder 2|is vented in that gas is now free to flow rearwardly through passage 15into passage 52, past the unseated valve 53 and thus to the outeratmosphere. While with the parts aligned as illustrated, the gas underpressure will normally urge valves 48 and 53 to seated positionsthus,making it possible to dispense with springs seating these valves-it isnevertheless preferred that these springs be employed. By utilizingthem, a rapid initiation of valve seating is asserve to provide a numberof successive injections. Also, considerable periods of time mayintervene between these injections without a substantial loss ofpressures. In each instance, with the release of the handle 58 or theequivalent actuator, it is entirely feasible to remove the cap orotherwise gain access to the medicamentreceiving chamber without the rodbeing forcibly maintained in projected position by the gas pressures orwithout having any pressures within the medicament-receiving chamber asin Figs. 1 to 10. Therefore, the discharged ampule may be readilyremoved, a new ampule may be inserted and the plunger and piston may befreely retracted with such insertion. Thereupon, the apparatus is againready for use.

As afore brought out, various types of medicament-containing cartridgeso1 ampules may be employed. These will preferably each have a one-timeuse. In other words, after they are once discharged, they may bediscarded. The

same may be true "of the caps especially if the medicament be of thetype which would tend to coagulate within the plug the bores of thecannulas or discharge orifices. Ordinarily however, with proper cleaningand sterilization, the caps may be employed a large number of times. Itwill be understood that while the cannulas have in each instance beenshown as embracing a subs'tantially constant bore, this need notnecessarily be so. In order to reduce undesired friction, merely theouter endfof the cannula or discharge orifice beyond the same maypresent such a restricted passage that the desired jet effect will beachieved. For cleaning purposes it would in most instances bedesirable-after r'emoving the ampuleto actuate the valve mechanism sothe gas may flow through the bore of the cannula and beyond the outerend of the device. This would clear medicament from these parts andprevent a clogging of the same.

As is apparent, the medicament-containing cartridges or ampules may beof proper size to provide for a desired injection. Such injection mayrange from a fraction of a cubic centimeter up to several cubiccentimeters without adding substantially to the bulk of weight of theunit in design. While for the purpose of illustration a relatively longampule of restricted diameter has been'illustrated, it will beappreciated that a comparatively short and large diametermedicament-receiving chamber might be furnished. That chamber mightdirectly receive the medicament although preferably it would receive anampule of any proper type having a corresponding'length and diameter.Also, as will be apparent, the velocity of discharge will notsubstantially diminish during a working stroke. Moreover, the flask [2will contain a suflicient body of gas under proper pressures that itwill serve to provide for a number f successive injections. When thepressure developed is inadequate, a replacement flask may be readilyapplied. As shown the piston 22 may, in each instance, be larger thanthe rod 24. Consequently, the pressure exerted in expelling themedicament will be greater than the pressure of the gas flowing from theflask I2. If the area of the piston be twice that of the rod then (minusonly frictional losses) twice the pressure will be exerted upon themedicament than the pressure of the gas which flows into the cylinder2|. This .will be true of the structures shown in Figs. 1

m5 inclusive. Thus, it is obvious that by properly proportioning theparts, virtually any desired pressures may be created for the expulsionof the medicament despite the fact that under normal temperatures thegas in a fresh flask 12 may merely be between 800 and 900 pounds ofpressure per square inch. While the present apparatus has been describedin use as being placed in contact or immediately adjacent the skinsurface. it will be understood that if it should prove desirable tospace the injectionorifice from such surface this might readily be done.Thus, among others, the several objects of the nvention as aforespecified are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in constructions andrearrangements of the parts might be resorted to w thout departingfromthe spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

Whatwe claim is:

1. A device for injecting liquid medicament so that it will penetratethe skin and underlying tissues without the use of a piercing needle,said device comprising a body representing an ampule-receiving chamber,said body beingformed with a passage extending to saidchamber throughwhich fluid under pressure may flow towards the same, means movable withrespect to said body-so that the medicament in said ampule will beexpressed from the latter as the-fluid under pressure so flows and saidbody being formed with a passage extending to a point adjacent saidchamber so that pressure may be exerted by the fluid on certain of theampule surfaces to tend to equalize thepressures'occurringwithin saidampule and related to the ejection of medicament therefrom.

2.,A- device for injecting liquid medicament so that it will penetratethe skin and underlying tissues without the use of a-piercingneedle,said device comprising a body presenting an ampulereceivingchamber andapassage extending in the direction of said chamber, a valve assemblywithin said body and controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, meansinterposed between said passage and chamber whereby with fluid flowingthrough said passage, medicament will be ejected by said ampule and saidbody being formed with further passages for the flow of fluid intocontact with the exterior surfaces of said ampule to equalize pressureswithin and exteriorly of said ampule as medicament is expressed fromsaid ampule. ,7 v

3. A device for injecting fluid medicamentso that it will penetrate theskin'and underlying tissues without the use of a piercing needle, saiddevice comprising a body presenting an ampulereceiving chamber, apiercing cannula extending into said chamber and extendable through astopper mounted by said ampule, said body being also formed with acylinder to receive fluid under pressure, a piston movable within saidcylinder and cooperable with said ampule to cause the cannula to piercethe stopper of the same and means for subsequently and automaticallyshiftincluding a body formed with'a chamber to reing said stopper withinsaid ampule to express the medicament from within the latter.

4. A device for injecting fluid medicament so that it will penetrate theskin and; underlying tissues without the use of a piercing needle, saiddevice comprising a body presenting an ampulereceiving chamber, apiercing cannula extending into said chamber and extendable through astopper mounted by said ampule, said body being also formed with acylinder to receive fluid under pressure, a piston movable within saidcylinder and cooperable with said ampule to cause the cannula to projectthe ampule and pierce the stopper, said body being formed with passagesthe flow through which is controlled by the movements of said piston,said passages extending to a point adjacent the end of theampulereceiving chamber whereby when fluid flows through said passagesafter said ampule has been projected, the fluid will cooperate with thestopper carried by theampule to shift such stopper and express themedicament within the ampule.

5. A device for projecting medicament so that the medicament willpenetrate the skin and be injected into underlying tissue without theaid of an epidermis-penetrating needle, said device including a bodyformed with a chamber to receive a medicament-containing ampule, saidbody being also formed with a passage to conduct fluid under pressure,pressure transmitting means within said body and movable responsive tofluid under pressure flowing through said pasceive amedicament-containing ampule, said-body being also formed with acylinder and a passage toconduct fluid thereto, a piston movable withinsaid cylinder and acting upon an ampule within said chamber to projectmedicament therefrom and said body being formed withv a further. passageconnectedto said first named, passage and cylinder to conduct fluidunder pressure to said chamber to act upon the exterior surface of anampule disposed therein.

7. -A device for projecting medicament so that the medicament willpenetrate the skin and be injected intounderlying tissue-without the aidof an epidermis penetrating needle, such device in, cluding a bodyproviding a walled chamber to receive a medicament-containing ampulehaving less cross sectional area thanrthat of said chamber, said bodybeing formed with a cylinder, a piston movable insaid cylinder tocontrol the expulsion of medicament from an ampule contained in saidchamber, means for controlling the movement of said piston and meanswhereby simultaneously with such movement the space intervening thewalls of said chamber and an ampule contained therein will be subject toan increase in pressure such that the contained ampule will have itsouter face pressure-supported to prevent a bursting of said ampule.

'8. In an injection apparatus a body, power means projectible withinsaid body, means for controlling. the projection of said power means,said body providing a space to receive a medicament-containing ampule,said power means moving towards said space to expel the medicament froman ampule contained therein and means functioning simultaneously'withthe projection of said power means for causing pressure to be exertedwithin said space and upon the outer face of an ampule contained thereinfor supporting said ampule against bursting.

9. In an injection apparatus [a body, power means projectible withinsaid body, means for controlling the projecting of said power means,said body providing. a space to receive a medicament-containing ampule,said power means mov-- ing towards said space to expel the medicamentfrom an ampule contained therein and said space being enlarged toprovide for the accommodation of fluid to create. pressure against theouter face of an ampule contained therein and support said ampuleagainst bursting and means whereby the operation of said controllingmeans causes fluid to create such pressure.

10. A hypodermic injection apparatus including in combination a bodyproviding adjacent one of its ends an ampule-receiving chamber, aloading cap removably mounted by said body to close said chamber, astopper-piercing cannula extending inwardly of said chamber and havingits outer end terminating substantially in the plane of the outer capface to define an injection oriflce, said body being formed with a boreextending into said chamber, a power projected rod 1 l movable throughsaid bore towards said: chamber'and into cooperativeassociation with anampule contained therein and manually controlled means extending beyondsaid body and connected to govern the movement of said rod.

11-. A hypodermic injection apparatus as in claim 10 wherein saidcannula is extendable through a stopper mounted by an ampule and whereinsaid chamber has dimensions suchthat an ampule may be projected-thereinto causesuch piercing of the stopper, saidrod acting against said ampuleto shift the latter within said chamber and cause an initial piercing ofsaid stopper and a subsequent movement of the latter with respect to theampule to express the medicament within such ampulethrough the bore ofsaid cannula.

12. A hypodermic injection apparatus as defined: in claim 10 andcomprising a thrust portion carried by said loading cap and extending13. Aninjection apparatus as specified in claim 12 and including.- meanswhereby, simultaneously 12 with themovement of'the stopperwithrespect-toan ampule body, pressure is exerted against the outer facevofthe latterto. prevent a bursting of the-same.

14. A hypodermic injection apparatus as in claim 10'v in which saidbody-provides a cylinder beyond said bore, av piston. moveable withinsaid cylinder and connected to said rod and said manual'lycontrolledmeans comprises a. valve for governing the flow-of'fluid: under pressureto said cylinder.

15. A hypodermic injection apparatus according: to claim 14' in whichsaid body is formed with a passage within which said valve isinterposedand is also formed with a flask-receiving space connected tosaid passage, flask-piercing means mounted by the body and extendingintosaid space and a cap movablymounted by'said body to urge a flask in thedirection of said piercing-means.

ERROL R. LAWSHE. JOHN H. SMOOT:

UNITED STATES. PATENTS

